True...but these background stories for the standby queue presumably didn't make the bulk of most of the press releases for these attractions or get shoehorned into the attraction story. It was a means to tell a story to guests in a queue (but if you're in the Lightening Lane then you'll miss the story entirely). So, is the co-op thing also part of the ride or is it just the queue? If you're in the LL, will you miss the co-op backstory entirely? Because they've mentioned this angle a lot and also have it on the construction fences. Why couldn't it just be her food storage warehouse for her restaurant from the movie? It just feels awkward and unnecessary to me, but with all things Disney, I'm waiting for the ride to open.
We've yet to see anything describe the Co-op as part of the ride proper, it's only ever been referred to by Disney as part of the queue elements.
Every piece of concept art and description of the actual flume show elements has been about the Bayou, the critters, and Tiana. No mention of the Co-op showing up along the ride path. It's the framing device for how we end up on the Bayou with Tiana, same with how Alpha Centauri Expeditions is the framing device to take us from walking around Pandora to riding the back of a Banshee.
Disney wasn't shy about sharing information on Alpha Centauri Expeditions and the Pandora Conservation Initiative in the run up to Pandora's opening - in fact, they shared a series of posters created to "advertise" A.C.E.'s different excursions. They even put them on the construction walls too, with the company's Logo prominently featured:
Over the weekend, Disney fans visiting the D23 Expo had the chance to learn more about Pandora – the World of AVATAR in a special walk-through exhibit. Here, guests could examine the model up-close and look at posters for the A.C.E. (Alpha Centauri
disneyparks.disney.go.com
Disney also released articles and videos in which they tout how they worked with real Animal Scientists to help develop a plausible biology to the environment of the land and its attractions, similar to the way they've been working with real artists from New Orleans to help imbue TBA with authentic character from the city:
When Pandora - The World of Avatar opens at Disney’s Animal Kingdom this May, guests will be able to explore a brand-new world unlike they’ve ever experienced before.
disneyparks.disney.go.com
They even went so far as to post about how the Cast Members were being "immersed in the Na'vi culture" and being taught the language, and created special Alpha Centauri Expeditions Nametags for the cast members in the land:
Decades later, it’s no different for Pandora – The World of Avatar, which will come alive on May 27 thanks to the enthusiasm and talent of our 700 cast members who were selected to open this epic new land. Cast members are in training now to help
disneyparks.disney.go.com
Keep in mind, too, that Pandora: The World of Avatar is a whole brand new land with 2 attractions, dining, shops, and significant placemaking. Tiana's Bayou Adventure is only one attraction, not a whole land, and therefore does not have quite so many new elements that can be discussed before you reach the point of giving away more than Disney wants to reveal. Not to mention that the ride system and layout are already known to the public.
Point being that Pandora's fake company got a lot of airtime even though there were a lot of other things in that new Land they could have been talking about, so it's really not so outrageous for Tiana's Foods to be featured similarly when discussing the new standalone attraction for which they clearly don't want to spoil everything.
